Music

'Walk Off the Earth' Gets 50 Million YouTube Views in a Month [VIDEO]

Meet Walk off the Earth, the ultra-talented quintet that turned its version of a sleeper hit into a viral phenomenon on YouTube and earned itself a record deal.

The Canadian indie band posted a video covering Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" last month, and it has since been viewed on YouTube nearly 50 million times. The clip shows the band playing on a single guitar. One strums the guitar while the others tap and pluck along. Now the band — which has been together for nearly six years — has earned itself a record deal with Columbia Records.

The captivating video caught the attention of Russell Crowe and Alyssa Milano, who tweeted the cover to their Twitter followers, and the band recently performed on Ellen. Even Gotye — the Belgian-Australian singer songwriter — has cheered on the band:

"I know who to ask for help with acoustic versions of Somebody: Walk Off The Earth. Hilarious and brilliant," @Gotye tweeted.

Gotye's original version — uploaded to YouTube in July 2011 — is still beating out the cover with nearly 65 million views.

The band has since posted a thank you video and message on its site: "We just wanted to make this video to say thank you to everyone who has shared and posted the video and made this crazy dream come true for us," one member wrote.

BONUS: 15 Wannabes That Found Fame on YouTube

15 Wannabes Who Found Fame on YouTube [VIDEOS]

1. Avery

Teen star Avery was a big YouTube hit in 2010 with both covers and original material. The latter netted her a Universal record contract (supposedly following a bidding war) after her videos were viewed by A&R folks.

2. Alyssa Bernal

Alyssa Bernal’s acoustic uploads got the attention of Pharrell Williams who was reportedly so keen to track her down, he contacted her high school. Eventually he got hold of her and signed her to Star Trak. She has since released an EP.

3. Justin Bieber

As many of you will know, Justin Bieber's pre-pubescent warblings were spotted by a talent scout who arranged for Bieber to meet with Usher. The rest, of course, is now history.

4. Ysabella Brave

Quirky vocalist Ysabella Brave was signed to Warner Music Group's digital label Cordless after her popular YouTube performances got her noticed.

5. Greyson Chance

Ellen DeGeneres championed young Greyson Chance after seeing his cover of a Lady Gaga song at a school recital on YouTube. After having him on her show, DeGeneres made Chance the first artist signed to her new record label. His debut single came out in October last year.

6. Esmee Denters

Justin Timberlake is the star sponsor behind Dutch singer-songwriter Esmee Denters. He spotted her on the site and she became the first artist to sign to his label. Denters is now working on her second album.

7. Dondria

So So Def Recordings founder Jermaine Dupri discovered Dondria on YouTube and offered her a record deal. Her debut album Dondria vs Phatfffat reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.

8. Kim Yeo-Hee

Kim Yeo-Hee, known on YouTube as Apple Girl, became popular with her covers played on iPhones. After viral success, record labels from South Korea, China and the UK attempted to woo Yeo-Hee and in the end she signed with Seoul-based Dreamhigh-Ent.

9. Andy McKee

Back in 2006, YouTube got Andy McKee seriously noticed - noticed to the tune of 35 million views. With a new album, Joyland, out last year, McKee is now on tour.

10. Terra Naomi

"Say It's Possible" was the song that opened doors for Terra Naomi. A YouTube hit, she signed with Island Records in 2006, although she is now back to being independent with a fan-funded record in the works.

11. Julia Nunes

Julia Nunes, or “jaaaaaaa” as her YouTube fans know her, shot to online fame after posting videos of her singing covers and originals and playing the ukulele. Nunes has made three independent albums and opened for Ben Folds.

12. Chantelle Redman

UK teenager Chantelle Redman owes her YouTube success to her father who secretly filmed her singing and posted it on the video sharing site. After becoming the second most subscribed singer on the site, she signed a record deal with Agency Global Enterprises and has since released a single.

13. Ria Ritchie

Ria Ritchie’s story will sound familiar by now. After recording acoustic covers and uploading them to YouTube, she got spotted by UK musician Plan B who is producing her first album.

14. Mia Rose

Portuguese-British Mia Rose began uploading her music to YouTube in 2006. She was signed in 2007, has seen success in the UK and Portugal and has since moved to Los Angeles to further her career.

15. Cody Simpson

Twelve-year-old Cody Simpson (inevitably dubbed the Australian Justin Bieber) was spotted on YouTube by Shawn Campbell, a record producer who has worked with the likes of Jay-Z and Missy Elliott. Since signed to Atlantic Records, Simpson’s first single featuring Flo Rida was released last summer.

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